Coleraine Bridge Bann Bridge
Coleraine Bridge over the River Bann, viewed from upstream on the west bank
Crosses	River Bann
Locale	Coleraine, Northern Ireland
Heritage status	Listed building (Northern Ireland)
Characteristics
Design	Triple-span masonry arch bridge
Material	Ashlar granite, sandstone soffits
History
Designer	Stewart Gordon
Opened	1844

Coleraine Bridge, also known as Bann Bridge, is a nineteenth-century masonry road bridge spanning the River Bann (Lower Bann) in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. Opened in 1844, it is a Grade A listed structure and is regarded as one of the finest stone bridges in Ulster.^[1]

The bridge represents the most recent in a long succession of crossings at this location and remains an important transport link and landmark within the town.

Coleraine Bridge is a triple-span masonry bridge carrying the main road across the River Bann. With the exception of the soffits, the structure is constructed of ashlar granite imported from Scotland. The soffits of the arches are of dressed sandstone, distinguished by their lighter colour.^[2]

The bridge comprises three equi-sized shallow segmental arches with vee-jointed voussoirs. Advanced abutments and piers incorporate curved and domed cutwaters rising to spring level on both upstream and downstream sides. Moulded string courses run through the arches at spring level and around the tops of the piers, with an additional moulded string course forming the base of the parapets.^[2]

The parapets project slightly above each pier and terminate in out-projecting terminal piers. Raised and fielded rectangular panels are located above each arch crown on the outer faces of the parapets. All are blank except those above the central arch: the downstream panel bears the inscription “Designed by Stewart Gordon C.E.”, while the upstream panel reads “Erected by the County 1844”.^[2]

Cast-iron lamp standards, now electrified, are positioned along each parapet above the abutments and piers. The deck carries two lanes of vehicular traffic with footpaths on both sides.

The central arch forms the navigable span of the bridge and provides an air draft of approximately 1.5 metres at high tide and 4.2 metres at low tide.^[2]

Small public parks are located at both the south-east and south-west ends of the bridge. On the west bank, immediately upstream of the bridge, is Christie Park. On the town side of the river, the upstream park is Hanover Gardens. Directly upstream of Hanover Gardens is Bann Rowing Club, which was founded in 1842, two years before the opening of the current bridge, highlighting the long-standing recreational use of this stretch of the river.

Immediately downstream of the bridge is the Millennium Footbridge, opened in 2001. To the north-west lies a modern mooring pontoon operated by the Coleraine Harbour Commissioners, as well as the Clothworkers’ Building. The north-east approach borders redeveloped land formerly occupied by Coleraine Harbour.^[2]

The crossing at Coleraine has existed since at least the thirteenth century. The earliest recorded bridge at the site was constructed in 1248 by John de Courcy in the vicinity of Coleraine Castle.^[3] Raven’s map of 1620 depicts a timber bridge at the location.

A bridge erected in 1716 collapsed in 1739, after which a more substantial replacement was constructed around 1743 with funding from the Irish Society. This structure is shown on Taylor and Skinner’s 1783 map and is cited on early nineteenth-century Ordnance Survey mapping.^[4][5]

The present bridge was completed in 1844 at a cost of £14,650, funded by the County Londonderry Grand Jury. It was designed by Stewart Gordon, County Surveyor for County Londonderry between 1834 and 1860, and constructed by John Lynn, a Coleraine-based contractor.^[2][6]

During the Second World War, a demolition chamber was installed within the bridge to allow for its destruction in the event of an enemy invasion, though no visible traces remain today.^[2] Until the opening of Sandelford Bridge upstream in 1975, Coleraine Bridge was the only crossing of the River Bann in the Coleraine area.

Until 2002, the bridge marked the boundary between the remits of Waterways Ireland upstream and the Coleraine Harbour Commissioners downstream. Subsequent administrative changes reduced the latter’s jurisdiction to the Millennium Footbridge.^[2]

The bridge remains in continuous use as a road crossing, carrying two lanes of the A2 and footpaths on both sides.^[2] Historically, it formed part of a major transport route connecting Coleraine with towns along the north coast. Since the opening of the Millennium Footbridge in 2001, pedestrian use of Coleraine Bridge has been significantly reduced.

Coleraine Bridge is listed for its architectural and historic interest. It is valued for its proportions, materials, ornamentation, and high standard of craftsmanship, particularly the dressed stone soffits. W. A. McCutcheon described it as “one of the finest bridges in Ulster”.^[1]

The bridge also contributes significantly to the riverscape of Coleraine and is of historical importance as the most recent in a succession of bridges at this long-established crossing point, with a clearly documented designer and construction date.^[7]

• Historic Buildings Reference: HB03/18/020
• Date of listing: 31 March 1987
• Listing grade: A
• Owner: Central Government